1: Eur J Nutr. 2005 Jun 10; [Epub ahead of print] Related Articles,
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No evidence of insulin resistance in normal weight vegetarians A case
control study.
Valachovicova M, Krajcovicova-Kudlackova M, Blazicek P, Babinska K.
Slovak Medical University, Institute of Preventive and Clinical Medicine,
Limbova 12, 83301, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
BACKGROUND : Diets rich in carbohydrates with a low glycemic index and with
high fiber content are associated with flat post-prandial rises of blood
glucose, minimal post-prandial insulin secretion and maintenance of insulin
sensitivity. Protective food commodities in the prevention of cardiovascular
disease, insulin resistance syndrome or diabetes are crucial components of
the vegetarian diet. AIM OF THE STUDY : Insulin resistance values were
assessed in relation to different nutrition. Metabolic abnormality is a
predictor of age-related diseases and can be more pronounced in obese
subjects. Insulin resistance values in normal weight subjects of two
different nutritional habits were correlated with age. METHODS : Fasting
concentrations of glucose and insulin as well as calculated values of
insulin resistance IR (HOMA) were assessed in two nutritional groups of
apparently healthy adult subjects (age range 19 - 64 years) with normal
weight (body mass index 18.6 - 25.0 kg/m(2)): a vegetarian group (95
long-term lacto-ovo-vegetarians; duration of vegetarianism 10.2 +/- 0.5
years) and a non-vegetarian control group (107 subjects of general
population on traditional western diet). Intake of energy and main nutrients
(fats, saccharides, proteins) was similar in both groups. RESULTS : Glucose
and insulin concentrations and IR (HOMA) values were significantly lower in
vegetarians (glucose 4.47 +/- 0.05 vs. 4.71 +/- 0.07 mmol/l; insulin 4.96
+/- 0.23 vs. 7.32 +/- 0.41 mU/l; IR (HOMA) 0.99 +/- 0.05 vs. 1.59 +/- 0.10).
IR (HOMA) dependence on age was only significant in subjects on a western
diet. A significant increase of IR was found already in the age range 31-40
years, compared to vegetarians and it continued in later age decades. Age
independent and low insulin resistance values in vegetarians are a
consequence of an effective diet prevention by long-term frequent
consumption of protective food. Vegetarians had a significantly higher
consumption of whole grain products, pulses, products from oat and barley.
CONCLUSION : The results of age independent and low values of insulin
resistance document abeneficial effect of long-term vegetarian nutrition in
prevention of metabolic syndrome, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
PMID: 15940383 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]